Indonesian military (TNI) personnel arbitrarily detained five indigenous Papuans after returning from Sunday worship at a church in Jampul Village, West Beoga District, Puncak Regency, on 4 January 2026.
The soldiers reportedly accused them of affiliation with the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) solely based on clothing bearing the Morning Star symbol and political content found on their social media account. Upon arrest, they were taken to a military post and coerced into pledging allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia before being released on the same day.
At around 12:00 noon, the five civilians were intercepted by Satgas Yonif 732/Banau members while walking home from church. According to information received by local human rights defenders, the military accused them of being members or supporters of the armed pro-independence movement because they wore T-shirts displaying the Morning Star emblem and had previously shared images related to Papuan self-determination on social media.
Iyan Wandagau, Maikel Uamang, Julian Wandagau, Oten Kum, and Eten Uamang were then forcibly taken to the Jambul Military Post. Thereupon, TNI personnel pressured them to sing the Indonesian national anthem (see photos and video below, source: independent HRD) and participate in an oath of allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia. This act reportedly took place under armed military supervision and was witnessed by pastors, church leaders, congregants, local officials, and community members who had just completed worship services. All five civilians were released later the same day without formal charges or judicial process.
Conflicting official narratives
Military-linked media outlets portrayed the event as a "humanistic approach" by the TNI, claiming that the five youths were former members of an armed group who voluntarily returned to the Republic of Indonesia and pledged loyalty during a ceremonial process at Bethel Church. This narrative contradicts information from local sources, who alleged that the individuals were civilians unlawfully detained, intimidated, and coerced while in military custody.
The existence of two sharply divergent accounts raises serious concerns about misinformation, forced confessions, and the instrumentalisation of civilians for military propaganda purposes in West Papua.
Human rights analysis
The detention and treatment of the five civilians constitute arbitrary detention, intimidation, and coercion, in violation of fundamental human rights standards. The deprivation of liberty was carried out without a warrant, judicial oversight, or lawful basis, contravening Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The targeting of individuals for wearing symbols or expressing political views also violates the rights to freedom of expression enshrined in Article 19 ICCPR. Forcing civilians to sing the national anthem and pledge allegiance under military control amounts to coercion and psychological intimidation, incompatible with the prohibition of degrading treatment under Article 7 ICCPR.
Detailed case data
Location: Beoga, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, Indonesia (-3.8205622, 137.426146) Jampul Village, Beoga Barat District
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Puncak, West Beoga
Total number of victims: 5
1. Iyan Wandagau, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, intimidation
2. Maikel Uamang, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, intimidation
3. Julian Wandagau, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, intimidation
4. Oten Kum, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, intimidation
5. Eten Uamang, male adult Indigenous Peoples arbitrary detention, intimidation
Period of incident: 04/01/2026-04/01/2026
Perpetrator: ndonesian Military (TNI)Perpetrator details: Satgas Yonif 732/Banau
Issues: indigenous peoples